Traffic Cameras

Photos Are Not On Ontario's Radar 

   I was in Vancouver last month and noticed an article that contained this map which showed some of the more "popular" cameras in that city.

   Here is the reference to the article which indicates that the introduction of traffic cameras is a positive thing to do if one is interested in promoting public safety.

   "These Metro Vancouver Intersections Caught the Most Speeders, Red Light Violators, Last Year," Nathan Griffiths, Vancouver Sun, April 23, 2026.
   "More than 128,000 B.C. drivers were ticketed for speeding or running red lights last year under a traffic camera program that a local medical health officer says should be expanded because it saves lives.

   Research from Canada, the U.S., Australia and Europe all show that traffic camera programs reduce crashes that result in injuries and fatalities, according to Brandon Yau, a medical health officer at Vancouver Coastal Health.

   "They've been pretty well-studied internationally, and so the evidence is relatively conclusive," Yau said.

   He said programs, such as the installation of traffic cameras, that aim to reduce speeding and running red lights led to a roughly 40 per cent reduction in fatalities, and a 20 to 50 per cent reduction in injuries.

   "Most importantly, we have really good evidence that it impacts driver behaviour," he said. "If people know that there's a red light camera or a camera to watch their speeding, they're adjusting their behaviour...."

   Over the past three years, the impact of adding speed enforcement at 35 locations "led to a 52 per cent decrease in drivers exceeding the speed limit by more than 25 km/h," the ministry wrote.

   Red-light infractions decreased by 13 per cent and the number of repeat red-light offenders declined 29 per cent in the past five years, according to the ministry."

   Apparently those living in B.C. do not object to this visual surveillance since a poll in 2024 found that  "seven-out-of-10 British Columbians supported automated speed cameras."
   Back in 2024, I noted that London added fifteen new red light cameras to its photo arsenal. If you want to know where they were placed, see "Candid Cameras."  Although it was argued that the cameras would likely be effective in reducing speeding and accidents, while generating revenue, it was also mentioned that over thirty years ago the Ontario Progressive Conservatives decided to stop using photo radar. 
   Premier Doug Ford is also opposed to the use of cameras and wants to protect taxpayers from this "cash grab". The Ontario government introduced legislation to ban the use of cameras by municipalities and Bill 56 ("Building a More Competitive Economy Act") was passed and the use of such cameras banned. The bill sped through the legislature, but I am not sure how Ontario voters felt about such a measure. (See: "Ford Government Passes Bill Banning Municipal Speed Cameras in Ontario," Joshua Freeman, CTV News, Oct. 30, 2025.)
   I do speed on occasion and could be caught on one of these cameras, but I think it reasonable to have them and install even more. The fine levied is sent to the owner of the car and demerit points are not added to a driving record. I could also blame my wife. The city gains some revenue and the driver learns a lesson.

   While I am at it, perhaps the sound of cars could be recorded as well as the speed. That is already happening in France and even in Edmonton where very noisy cars are fined. For more about lowering the level of "acoustic aggression" see "Advance Noise Alert" in this post on MM. 
The Bonus:

   While I am on the subject of motor vehicles and Premier Ford's many interesting initiatives, don't forget to renew your LICENSE PLATES.